Value-added distributor equips international carrier with next-gen secure e-mail gateway after Intel Security (McAfee) retires its e-mail products
Dubai, UAE – October 18, 2016: Shifra, a leading value-added distributor of next generation solutions in information security, identity protection and enterprise mobility in the Middle East, today announced that it has equipped the Kingdom of Bahrain’s national carrier Gulf Air with e-mail security solutions from Proofpoint. The cyber security firm has been a leader in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Secure Email Gateway for seven consecutive years now – one of the many reasons why Intel Security (McAfee) named Proofpoint its recommended transition partner, after retiring its e-mail products.
“Information is one of the most critical assets for Gulf Air and cyber security is one of the airline’s IT Department’s most important considerations. E-mail service is one of the areas that opens us up to external threats and it is therefore important to be armed with the right secure e-mail gateway, complemented by up-to-date, advanced threat intelligence and protection features. Proofpoint proved accurate, precise and compatible with Gulf Air’s operating environment,” says Dr Jassim Haji, Director of Information Technology at Gulf Air.
“More than 90 percent of targeted attacks use e-mails as an entry point. Applying appropriate safeguards defends enterprise networks from cyber attacks that threaten mission-critical, sensitive and confidential information from getting into a hacker’s hands,” explains Mohammad Ismail, VP of Sales at Shifra.
Incidentally, cyber attacks have heavily underpinned the Middle East’s shift to virtualization, cloud services and mobility. In fact, a recent report[1] found businesses in the Middle East are more likely to suffer from cyber attacks when compared to their global counterparts: the regional average for cyber attacks on businesses stands at 85%, compared to a global average of 79%.
Proofpoint Email Protection stops malware and non-malware threats such as impostor e-mail – also known as business email compromise, or BEC – and it provides granular filtering to control bulk ‘graymail’ and other unwanted e-mail. Meanwhile, business continuity capabilities keep e-mail communications flowing, even if the e-mail server fails.
Ismail adds: “As advanced threats scale up in frequency and sophistication, it has never been more important to secure your organisation’s e-mail, which by far ranks the number one threat vector. Proofpoint uniquely combines a top-notch e-mail gateway solution with the industry’s leading targeted attack protection technology, catching and stopping threats hours or even days before traditional defenses. We at Shifra count it a crucial part of our offerings, and are delighted to supply the solution to Gulf Air.”
About Gulf Air
Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, commenced operations in 1950, becoming one of the first commercial airlines established in the Middle East. Today, Gulf Air is a major international carrier serving 40 cities in 23 countries spanning three continents. The airline operates one of the largest networks in the Middle East, with double daily flights or more to 10 regional cities, in addition to select destinations in the Indian Subcontinent and Europe, from its hub at Bahrain International Airport. Gulf Air serves all its destinations with a combination wide and narrow body fleet totalling 28 modern aircraft. Renowned for its traditional Arabian hospitality, evidenced by the airline’s signature family and business friendly products, Gulf Air is committed to being an industry leader and developing products and services that reflect the evolving needs and aspirations of its passengers.
Gulf Air connects Bahrain to the world and, as such, is a key national infrastructure asset, serving as a powerful driver for the economy and supporting the Kingdom’s on-going economic growth.
Gulf Air has been the Title Sponsor of the FORMULA 1 GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX ever since it made history as the first Formula 1 Grand Prix to be held in the Middle East in 2004. In addition, the airline has been Official Carrier of the biennial Bahrain International Airshow since it was first held in 2010.
About Shifra
Shifra is a value added distributor of information security solutions in the Middle East and North Africa region, based in Dubai Internet City and founded in 2007 as a security consultancy. In 2010 Shifra was re-launched as a VAD with a complimentary portfolio of Information Security solutions to introduce to the Middle Eastern market. Shifra was founded by a team of information security experts that hold a cumulative experience of more than 50 years in the field in the U.S., Europe and the Middle Eastern region. With an extensive experience in channel development, multi-national security vendors, and system integrators, the Shifra team understands the needs of the market and delivers on them. For more information, see http://www.shifra-me.com.
[1] Source: PwC Middle East Information Security Survey 2016